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Liver Function Tests- High Gamma GT

Posted , 8 users are following.

JE1994
JE1994

Hi, 

Last year, around June, I was feeling very unwell and went to the GP. My doctor did a routine blood test and called me up saying my Gamma GT levels were around 200 and I then was tested for Hepititis C (I'd been vaccinated against A and B in 2011 before a trip to Africa) and Glandular Fever, all negative. I then went on an exchange to France and doctors there said that there was nothing concerning and some people just have high function results without any issues.

On my return to the UK, I was given two liver function tests, the first showing an improvement (around 110) and the second showing an elevation (I didn't get the exact number). I also had an abdominal ultrasound that showed no issues. I was then advised to abstain from alcohol for 6 to 8 weeks which I've completed and I had another test yesterday. I've been referred to the gastronenterology department at my hospital but because of waiting times, the appointment won't be until the end of January. 

I'm just writing to ask if anybody has any idea what the causes of these results could be. I'm 21 years old and I doubt it is alcohol related since I've never been a big drinker. I'm also wondering if I'd be able to drink around New Year. I'm not desperate for a drink but it's sometimes nice to have a beer when I've done with work and also for social reasons- I'm a student. 

 

0 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • RHGB
    RHGB JE1994

    Posted

    They are asking you not to drink, so that they can totally rule it out and look at what else it may be.

    If you drink, then they still can't be 100% sure that your body doesn't take alcohol well.

    There are so many things that it could be, which is why they have sent you for tests.

    You will have to ask questions, about absolutely everything, because most consultants give you minimal information. My gastroenterologist, gave me a cancer test, but didn't bother to tell me he was doing it (I later found out by a bit of detective work and accident).

     

  • walter41331
    walter41331 JE1994

    Posted

    Alcohol drinking is the main cause of elevated Gamma GT. This can be further raised by insufficient sleep/ rest during specific times (from 10:30pm -4am) including stress to one's mind or body.

    yes, you are young and vibrant at this age but do you want to age your organ faster than others and pay for the consequences at a later stage of life. Following peers's lifestyle may not be suitable for you due to different genetic makeup. 

    What you really want is to be able to socialise with your mind and not your stomach. Try to Google for healthy recipes ( whether it is for juices or meals) and this could be a new meaning in your life and get others excite too for Xmas and New Year! 

    I know I do.

    • JE1994
      JE1994 walter41331

      Posted

      First, thank you for your reply. You might be right about the sleep issues, though it may be difficult to change my sleeping pattern given that this is due to my workload. While I am health conscious, I'm also concerned about other areas of wellbeing such as my social life. As I said, I am a student and everybody I know does drink to some extent. I don't see my friends that often due to work and when I do, alcohol is inevitably involved. I hope you can understand that I'm reluctant to abandon my current social life without a concrete diagnosis that alcohol is responsible for my condition. 
  • JE1994
    JE1994

    Posted

    Uhm, so I got my results (after 8 weeks alcohol abstinence) and they've actually gotten worse sad

    Does anybody know what could be responsible? I'm guessing it's not fatty liver or bile ducts since I'm imagining those would have been picked up on the ultrasound. Diabetes has been mentioned by my doctor but as far as I know, they need a urine test which hasn't been done. 

    • walter41331
      walter41331 JE1994

      Posted

      You need to understand that there are 5 main causes that can contribute to liver problems, namely:-

      1) Alcohol

      2) Diet

      3) Medications

      4) Lifestyle

      5) Environment

      On diet, try to stay away from fatty, fried and spicy food. Reduce your carbohydrates and take food when needed but not simply others are doing. If you can eat 100%, have a mindset to eat about 80% and gradually bring this down to 60%. Avoid binge and hunger alternative.

      On medication, find out side effects of such medication. Example if your cholesterol is high your doctor may have given you statins but once cholesterol level is reduced back to normal range, do stop such medication.

      Lifestyle- I am talking sleep and rest, exercise and eating habits. Rest /sleep between 10:30pm and 3:30am are needed for one

    • walter41331
      walter41331

      Posted

      Lifestyle- I am talking about sleep and rest, exercise and eating habits. Rest/sleep between 10:30pm and 3:30am give time for one's liver to detox one's body. If no rest during this time period toxins remain in your body. Imagine over time the build up of such back log.

      Environment- are you living polluted area that may give more causes for your body ( or your liver to detox) .

    • JE1994
      JE1994 walter41331

      Posted

      Thanks again for your response. I eat a pretty healthy, balanced diet with perhaps too much sugar at times. I'm also a student in the final year of an intensive degree so I don't really have time or money to spend on major diet alterations. 

      I can't really cut down how much I eat-bmi is around 20 so if I start losing weight, I'll be underweight. My cholesterol is low and I get six to eight hours of sleep each night. I also get lots of exercise, don't even own a car so I walk everywhere too. 

      I'm struggling to see how my lifestyle can be responsible, to be honest, especially since my results have gotten worse in absence of alcohol. I get between 6 and 8 hours of sleep every night, too and live in Edinburgh, next to a large park. 

    • walter41331
      walter41331 JE1994

      Posted

      Sleeping 6-8 hours at the wrong time does not mean you doing good to your as your liver fully function to detox between 10:30pm and 3:30am. So sleeping between 4am to noon is not the same.

      Since you said you drink when you socialise you must take vitamin E (400i.u) and 2 multi-vitamins tablets per day to remove residue from drinking.

      Best in the morning, you try to take some sour juice be it lemon , Indian gooseberry or grapefruit. This will help you burn your sugar intake.

    • JE1994
      JE1994 walter41331

      Posted

      At this point, I'm not a drinker. I've abstained from alcohol for 9 weeks now. Also, I've never heard of any of these treatments- do you have any scientific evidence they work? 
    • RHGB
      RHGB walter41331

      Posted

      Other than that, do you have a link?

      Because the liver begins immediately metabolising food/alcohol/medication within 30 minutes.

      I've never heard that 10:30pm tp 3:00am is the only time that your lives gets rid of things out of your system. Detox is a misnomer, it means abstaining from bad things and replacing them with good things that your body likes.

  • kay68508
    kay68508 JE1994

    Posted

    Hi, realise this is an old discussion but I'm going through exactly the same as you without any rational explanation for my blood test results

    hope you have got your issues resolved now and all is back to normal but just wondered if you got an answer?

    Had 5 tests over last few months, abstained from alcohol for nearly 9 weeks now and results getting worse (although last ones this week show things are now stabilising but still raised).  Ultrasound shows all clear. GP puzzled!  I'm being referred to a specialist but no idea how long that will take. Only advice given is still keep off alcohol and don't take vitamin A supplements! 

    only difference to yourself is I'm a woman in mid 40s.

    Any insight you may have greatly received! Thanks

    • Dort1234
      Dort1234 kay68508

      Posted

      Hello Kay. I just had to reply on the comment you made on the discussion above. Hope you got your issues resolved. First time I laught all week. I did think myself it seemed to be getting a little heated. I wish I could help on your worries. You see i have cirrohsis and never had warnings in blood tests just got very ill and then diagnosed. I hope you find the advice you need...
    • susan45858
      susan45858 Dort1234

      Posted

      Hi I noticed you mentioned having cirrhosis may I ask your age, I am 57 and female,approx 2 yrs ago I was diagnosed with gallstones and the medics were going to take my gallbladder out but after research and as the pain had gone I decided against surgery but they had told me I had a slightly fatty liver, I have heard nothing since not even a follow up appt in these last 2 years. I read that a dodgy gallbladder is due to a dodgy liver so the problem lies with the liver ultimately so I would like to get my liver healthy again if that is possible. May I ask in what way you got ill? Thank you
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